6 September 1934 – 7 January 2026
We honour and remember Richard Brancker, the founder of our company and the individual who set in motion everything that RBR stands for today.
In 1973, Richard established Richard Brancker Research in the basement of a house in Ottawa, Canada, initially undertaking contract R&D projects. He had a clear purpose: to support science through rigorous research, precision engineering, and an uncompromising commitment to quality. From those early beginnings, he laid the technical and philosophical foundations that continue to guide our work—curiosity, integrity, and a deep respect for the oceans and those who study them.
From the inception of the company, Richard sought designs for potential products that filled technical and market niches. The very first was the Borehole Locator, followed by a diverse range of products—from an egg candler to a wave height gauge; from a plant productivity fluorometer to a uraninite detector, and many others. In 1986, he introduced a battery-operated temperature logger, the TL-100, and from that beginning developed an increasingly sophisticated range of autonomous oceanographic data loggers.
Richard believed that instruments should serve scientists, not the other way around. That belief shaped a company culture focused on listening carefully, engineering thoughtfully, and delivering tools that researchers could rely on in the most demanding environments on Earth. As RBR grew, his vision helped steer the company toward advancing oceanographic measurement at a time when understanding our planet’s waters was becoming ever more critical. At the same time, he built a global cohort of representatives who appreciated his dedication and determination to deliver what the customer wanted. For this, we owe Richard a profound debt of gratitude.
While the company has evolved, expanded globally, and embraced new technologies, the principles Richard established—until his retirement in 1999—remain embedded in everything we do. His legacy lives on in every instrument we design, every deployment it supports, and every scientific insight it helps unlock.
We also carry his legacy in our name. RBR is not just an acronym—it is a lasting connection to our founder and a reminder of where we began. It reflects our commitment to honouring the past while continuing to innovate for the future. Every instrument we build, now deployed on every continent and to full ocean depth, rightfully bears this legacy of Richard.
Richard’s contribution extends far beyond the company he founded. It lives on through the scientists we serve, the data that informs our understanding of the oceans, and the enduring values that define RBR. We are proud to carry his name forward and grateful for the foundation he built.
Rest in peace, Richard.
